Preparation

This has been such a L-O-N-G week. It's finally preparation time.

Today I purchased Candy Land and Memory in hopes that games transcend language barriers, Matchbox cars, several brown Barbie dolls, 4 pounds of animal crackers, a very large bag of plain M&Ms (no, they do not melt in Haiti), and lots of trail mix.

Thanks to a very generous surgeon, we have $300 cash to expedite paperwork transmission from the orphanage to the attorney, if necessary, and keep us out of trouble whilst traveling in a third world country.

I have organized and packed a very large box of shoes donated by a dear gentleman at church with a huge, kind heart and topped it off with more pairs from my dear friend Aimee.

There is a large bag FULL of McDonald's (et. al.) toys generously donated by friends and coworkers alike. Thank you gals!

Itineraries are printed. Passports are handy. Laptop is charging. Travel sized toiletries are purchased and anti-malarial and cholera drug prescriptions are filled.

Looking forward to the best (i.e., strongest) coffee I've ever tasted and some wicked good beans & rice! A mascara-free week is appealing, truth be told, but the best part is seeing our little guys after so many months.

Please keep us in your prayers. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you staying state-side!

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